Jacqueline Thompson

PHO IDM-Professor Leigh Merrill

Spring 2013 Project Proposal

I intend to build of a photographic body of work of sensual folds and curves.  I plan to observe my 

daily environment and look for these folds and curves in everyday objects and architecture.  I will use earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain to create sensual folds and curves out of slabs and strips of clay.  I will also experiment with still life settings and certain objects.  Experimentation with lighting will be crucial to the development of the photographs.  Enhancement of the photographs with Lightroom and Photoshop software will contribute to the final images.  

Article Review #5

Art21 Matters

The four year old Art21 educators program is a success!  One of the main features of Art21 Contemporary Art program is a website and series of videos that present many contemporary artists.  The videos present the artist usually working in their studio and discussing their artwork.  The series is used as a teaching tool by teachers of many disciplines.  There are many success stories of how effective the series is in conjunction with the art projects pursued by teachers and students.

This article is relative to my own personal experience.  Many of the art professors here at TAMU-C use the Art21 video series as a teaching tool.  Specifically sculpture Professor Josephine Durkin uses the videos in 3D design, Sculpture, and Contemporary Issues in Art classes.  She also encourages the students to view the videos outside of class.  I feel the Art21 series has helped me learn about contemporary artists while pursuing my degree plan.

One of the artists presented in Art21 is Janine Antony, who is the keynote speaker for the annual ceramics conference NCECA in Houston, Texas this year.  Last year Mark Dion was the keynote speaker and again I learned of his work through my Contemporary Issues in Art class and Art21.

Article Review #4

Women Recognizing Women

Female Biographers and Historians

Biographers Jenny Uglow and Susan Reynolds Williams find and write about Sarah Losh and Alice Morse Earle.  Losh and Earle with little formal education self taught and became quite successful.  Losh

was a historian and self taught architect.  Earle was a historian and book author.  They both pursued their creative passions, yet did not maintain archives.  Friends and relatives with journals entries and letters provide much of the biographical information.  

This article is interesting because my Experimental Concepts class discussed whether or not formal art education is necessary.  Many thought yes, and certainly formal education will develop a foundation for the artist to have a depth of understanding.  I don't think it is absolutely necessary because Losh and Earle are perfect examples of success possible with the passion and drive to achieve success.  Self teaching and daily experience with the art medium and work prove successful.  

Night Shoots

The following are five night shoot photos taken in Commerce, Texas.  

Article Review #3

What is at Stake?

Is Consciousness Extended?

Joerg Colberg questions the state of the world of photography by questioning the enormous volume of photos inundating the web.  It seems everyone is a photographer today.  Social media has exploded and the use of a visual link is imperative to attract a web surfers attention for that fraction of a second or minute.  He is questioning the quality of the genre of photography as an art form.  What is at stake is a diluted quality to the photographs and a more saturated competition for art gallery exhibits, book publishing, etc.  The current hierarchical structure set in stone for the benefit of established schools, gallerys, and businesses now has a new population of photographers competing for coveted opportunities.  He is asking for a new strategy to deal with this onslaught of photos and photographers.  

This idea relates to many art forms today.  There are many new artists striving to be potters or ceramic artists or sculptors.  There is plenty of new clay work being sold, yet much of it is ordinary.  Success and development of any art form whether photography or clay takes time working with that medium with a required approach to education.  Can anyone be a potter or a photographer?  Sure, but to what level they will achieve is questionable.  

One strategy to filter experience and education is requesting the resume and art statement of that artist.  That is at least one step towards dealing with whats at stake.

Article Review #2 - Lenscratch

Wait Watchers - Haley Morris-Cafiero

The photos posted by Haley Morris-Cafiero of people glancing at her as she poses in everyday actions out on the streets are interesting and disturbing.  They say it doesn't matter what others think of you.  I'm not sure this is true.  In a philosophical sense it may be true, yet everyday we are constantly judged by the false and often cruel perceptions of others.  Whether the viewers glancing are alarmed at Haley's weight or the fact she is photographing herself doesn't really matter.  The photos capture the sad truth about how rude and vicious people behave.  Especially disappointing is the photo of the officer walking by and jokingly holding his hat over her head.

One of the striking qualities of the photos is Haley is not smiling in any of the photos.  She looks like she feels out of place in the scene.  She may not feel that way, yet her expressions creates that idea.  I am curious to know how many photos she has taken with this topic and if any of them show people with a neutral expression versus disdainful or laughing.

Scavenger Hunt - 2

Paintchip - Navy Blue

Well here it is, the reshoot of the paintchip scavenger hunt-2.  My "seagate" external hard drive is no longer working.  My original shoot of fifteen photos were on that hard drive so yes, I had to reshoot and purchase a new external hard drive.  I'm not a happy camper, yet I've had success reshooting, reloading, and working with lightroom to create a contact sheet and upload to my blog.  

Success!!!!!!

Everyday Photos

The following are photos from a seven day series of photo shoots.  Observing and photographing what I might consider an ordinary everyday object helps me see with a different perspective.

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

 

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

So there they are all seven of the photos.  I think my favorite photo is the one from day seven.  It looks like an old fashioned fire hydrant.  It's interesting to see a text window with the word open to signify the valve is open.